|
Search
|
|
|
Search
|
SUPER BOWL XLIV: INSIDE THE NUMBERS
COLTS SUPPORTING CAST FAILS THEM LATE
CARNIVAL SEASON NOW HAS SUPER LAGNIAPPE
While many were talking about other big names being elected to the NFL Hall of Fame for weeks, Rickey Jackson quietly flew below radar. All the while, national writers and local media members were…
(Read More)
MIAMI - Before departing South Florida after a hectic, historic, emotional week, I have time for one last reflection on the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.
(Read More)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Another jolt of Saints euphoria is on tap for New Orleans Tuesday when the Super Bowl champs board floats borrowed from Mardi Gras krewes for a victory parade through the grateful…
(Read More)
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Raise your umbrella and your Hurricane glass to the New Orleans Saints, who are Super Bowl XLIV champions because they were flat-out better than the Colts in an…
(Read More)
Written by Ken Trahan, President--NewOrleans.Com/Sports | Sunday, 20 September 2009 15:02 | Saints News
The question has been answered. Prior to the Saints game with the
Eagles, we stated that a true contender would take care of business on
the road against a team playing with a quarterback starting his first
NFL game. Mission accomplished.
The Saints took the opening kickoff, driving 74 yards in eight plays with Brees connecting with Marques Colston on a 15-yard scoring pass to make it 7-0 New Orleans.
Philadelphia responded quickly, with Kevin Kolb connecting with DeSean Jackson on a 71-yard scoring pass to tie it 7-7 in the first quarter. Jackson was running free against zone coverage. Safety Roman Harper appeared to jump a short route, clearing the deep middle for Jackson on the play.
After John Carney made it 10-7 late in the first quarter on a 23-yard field goal, the Eagles tied it on a David Akers field goal at 10-10. With 1:20 to play in the half, the Saints got the ball back and it took them just two plays to take the lead. Brees connected on a 29-yard pass to Reggie Bush before Brees made a perfect pass to Colston against tight coverage for a 25-yard touchdown to make it 17-10 with :37 to play in the half.
Unfortunately, the Saints defense backed off, inexplicably giving up sideline routes, despite the fact that Philadelphia had no timeouts, allowing the Eagles to drive to the New Orleans 14-yard line. Akers hit a 32-yard field goal to end the half and cut the Saints lead to 17-13 at the break.
In what was the pivotal play of the game, the Saints forced a fourth Eagles turnover to start the second half. Thomas Morstead kicked off to Ellis Hobbs. Rookie first-round draft pick Malcolm Jenkins stripped Hobbs and Chris Reis recovered at the Philadelphia 22-yard line.
It took Drew Brees just three plays to capitalize. He hit fullback Heath Evans with a flat pass. Evans made a defender miss and then tip-toed down the sideline for an 11-yard score to give the Saints a double-digit lead which they would not relinquish at 24-13 with 13:30 to play in the quarter.
On the Eagles next possession, Saints linebacker Scott Shanle stepped in front of Kolb's pass in the flat for DeSean Jackson and picked it off. Once again, Brees and the Saints offense would capitalize, this time going 24 yards in four plays with Mike Bell scoring on a seven-yard run to make it 31-13 with 11:39 to play in the third quarter.
After getting a stop, the Saints had a long drive that ended with a John Carney 25-yard field goal to make it 34-13 New Orleans with 4:15 to play in the third quarter.
After the Eagles answered with a scoring drive of their own to cut the lead to 34-20, the Saints put it away with a six-play, 52-yard drive in the fourth quarter. Reggie Bush, subbing for an injured Bell, made a nice cut and raced 19-yards for a score to make it 41-20.
Bell left earlier in the series with an injured right knee and did not return. The severity of the injury is yet to be determined. Bell played very well again, rushing 17 times for 86 yards and a score. He would be sorely missed if he misses any significant time.
After taking a safety to make it 41-22, the Saints defense came up big one final time with Darren Sharper picking off a Kolb pass and returning it 97 yards for a touchdown, tying Tommy Myers franchise record. Myers returned an interception of Fran Tarkenton 97 yards for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in 1979. It was Sharper's third interception in two games on the young season and it was his ninth interception return for a score in his career as well as the 57th interception in his illustrious career. Sharper leads all active NFL players with those 57 interceptions.
Tracy Porter closed out the game with an interception of Kolb on the game's final play.
The Saints offense racked up 421 total yards, including 110 on the ground. Marques Colston had eight catches for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Devery Henderson had three catches for 71 yards, including a picture-perfect throw and catch against blanket coverage on a 38-yard completion from Brees.
The Saints special teams were outstanding, with the exception of a 63-yard return by Hobbs to set up a score. Otherwise, coverage was excellent, forced the turnover (Jenkins and Reis), punted well, kicked off very well and made field goals and extra points.
Rookie Thomas Morstead averaged 50 yards on three punts, including one downed inside the 20-yard line. He kicked off in outstanding fashion, with three kicks reaching the end zone and all others going high and deep, inside the five-yard line. John Carney made both field attempts of 23 and 25 yards and handled all extra point attempts (6) in efficient fashion. Pierson Prioleau, Reis, Jenkins and Jo-Lonn Dunbar were excellent in covering kicks. Courtney Roby was solid in returning kickoffs, averaging 24 yards on three returns.
The Saints have now score 93 points in two games. The offense has been scintillating. While the defense struggled in the first half, they responded in the second half to come up with big turnovers. While the yardage allowed will suggest that they didn't play very well, they did a good enough job to win. Anytime you can come up with our turnovers, you have done a good job.
Brees looked great again. Other than a terrific interception by Akeem Jordan on a tipped ball, the Saints quarterback was flawless again. Jeremy Shockey had four more catches for 49 yards.
The big concern now will be Bell's health. Pierre Thomas got just one touch, a four-yard loss on a pass from Brees. He may not be ready to carry a load. Lynell Hamilton was inactive today but could figure next week in Buffalo. Lance Moore left the game with a hamstring injury and did not return.
The Eagles have been the most consistent winner in the NFC over the past decade under Andy Reid. The Saints were just 2-6 on the road in the midst of an 8-8 season in 2008. To go to Philadelphia and win by 26 points was a statement win for the Saints, regardless of who was playing quarterback for the Eagles. Donovan McNabb would have had to generate over 40 points to win. That's the way it is when you are facing a Saints team that is an adding machine in the scoring department.
More...
GAME BLOG: Saints at Eagles
